The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1887-05-27

nation when left alone after her broth
er'S arrival with Lucille Ventnor.
He had telegraphed TO his sister in
order To take the first edge of her sur
prise and then, when Lucille had been
conducted 10 her room, had stated the
case briefly.
Someone else might have TAX en- charge
of the girl, she said with irritation.
" Who:" inquired Beverley she is
absolutely alone in the world, poor
child And she was there penniless
among strangers"
Good heavens. Hugh What If she
We're? Do you think it was making her
lot easier to compromise the girl?"
Compromise her? What do you
mean?"
"Of course tits compromising to her
to have brought her here with you"
- She is about twenty years younger
than /, Clara, and il is unworthy of YOU,
to bring in any such word or thought
in connection with her or me-"
- Come" he added, d" YOU have a better
heart than you want to show, Clara
Drop little OF your worldliness and be
kind to this poor child. She needs
kindness sorely. I'm going back to
Germany tomorrow, and l shall leave
her here with you"
Mrs. Valentine knew better than to
make any further demur, but the irrita-
tion remained.
" To come all the way here Just to
bring that girl, and start off again the
next day. And then he is indignant be-
cause l call it compromising. That a
man of the world like Hugh should in
dulCe in anything so crafty qui1otic."
Nevertheless, she was not, in her wav
unkind TO Lucille. She was even, ac-
cording to her lights, very generous TO
her, presenting her with a mourning out
fit TO take the place OF the poor child's
scant and rusty black.
She is very pretty" she said to
herself the first time that the girl ap-
peared in one of these plain, neatly-fit-
ting gowns" very. Iwonder if Hugh
noticed it?"
Upon the whole she was just as well
pleased that Hugh had gone back to
Germany.
Lucille had begged, from the first day.
to be allowed to take charge of the little
boys, and, as the latter took to her very
kindly, there was no objection to her
doing so.
And gradually e,ls pleaded TO have
sundry other dutlcs assigned her. until
Mrs. Valentine had perforce to &C
knowledge that she vas most willing,
most anxious not II eat the bread of
charity. and, that which was certainly
not The least good thing about her, con-
siderably useful to herself.
The little Partisan household had,
therefore. settled down upon calm and
comfortable basis when Beverley, with
the suddennesS which usually charac-
teriZed his movements, reappeared.
He never came to Paris at this season
of the year, and Mrs. Valentine reminded
him OF the fact with some sharp
ness.
Oh, thought would try it," he
said carelessly. And he remained on
without any definite purpose that Mrs.
Valentine could see, day after day and
week after week.
Mrs. Valentines temper began to grow
very uncertain a. time went by. Her
brother did not, perhaps, notice the
fact, but others did, and Lucille chief
among the number.
One day the gathering storm broke
loose. Beverley was sitting unconcern-
ely in his sisters pretty boudoir when
the latter asked him how much longer
he thought he should keep Miss Vent
nor.
Why" queried Beverley. looking
upquickly, " has she shown any desire
to go?"
patiently. I" But you don't expect the
girl to go on living in perpetuity this
way, do you? 1 understand, of course,
that you thought we might give her
home until other arrangements could
be made for her. She must have some
one-friend or relation-some kith
or kin to whom she can turn for protec-
tion -
''She has no one, Clara" said Bev-
erley coldly, q and you know it. She is
earning her living with you, as the poor
girl would have to do elsewhere. You
need nursery-governess for the
boys"
d" Let her be nursery-governess some
where else!" cried Mrs. Valentine.
VentnOr Clara" said her brother slowly.
Why?''
1t is you who have taken an unac-
countable liking to her. believe you're
in love with the glrlr'
:" Clara p
BeverIeys face contained a note of
warning. He had turned pale. But
Mrs. Valentines prudence had forsaken
her.
% Yes, indeed, l do think so. Blanche
Conway is forgotten at last, it seems"
The words were scarcely spoken be-
fore Mrs. Valentine could have bitten
her tongue out for uttering them.
She was frightened and sorry. It was
very sore spot in her brothers mem
ory that she had touched. She was
going to make such blundering amends
as she could when the portiee was
hastily drawn aside, and they both saw
Lucille Nentnor on the threshold
% have heard every word, ," the girl
began. There was not a vestige OF color
in her face, but her voice was steady, and
her gaze brave and direct ." did not
mean to; but I was going through the
next room, and l stopped before 1 knew
1t. Forgive me, and let me go. You
have been very very kind TO me- |
shall never forget it. But / must not
be the cause of misunderstanding
see now that l should not have stayed
SO long"
She paused suddenly and put her
hand to her head.
Never mind, child-never mind. {"
said Mrs. Valentine soothingly.
But Beverley said very quietly:
Enough, Clara. Let Miss Ventnor
do as she thinks fit"
And Lucille turned and left the room.
=" Perhaps it is just as well that she
did hear, Mrs. Valentine reflected when
her brother too, had gone leaving her
alone " If 1 can only get her away
quietly now, and before anything hap
pens, OF course it would be extremely
trying to have Hugh at this late day
marrying an obscure and penniless girl
twenty years his junior"
Meanwhile Beverley had gone to the
ante-room which led into his little
nephews' school-room, and taking a book
sat down in the window.
very short time passed before
Lucille came hastily through.
She started on Seeing him, and made a
motion as though to escape. Her eyes
We're red with weeping.
Beverley quickly laid firm OBTAINING
hand upon her arm.
-" don't want you to go. Miss
Ventnor. want you TO stay-as nv
wife"
The words were spoken. For a min
ute they both looked in silence into each
others eyes.
"Oh, no. nop cried Lucille then.
That can't be. Let me gor'
But Beverley, in that one moment,